I did a study on the book of Esther recently and one character I pondered on was King Ahaseurus. Remember how the bible records Haman coming to him about a certain people whose conduct differed from others, asking for his permission to have them all executed on the twelfth month, the month of Adar (Esther 3), and how the king gave him his signet ring which he used to sign the evil decree? The Jews couldn’t do anything about it but fast and mourn in ashes; a decree by the King has been made, who can go against it.
But we know how the story ended. Days after fasting and praying, Esther sought the king and when she successfully exposed Haman’s plot, there was a reversal. From that moment, the Jews had a voice, many even converted and the fear of them was on all. Why? Because a decree was made and an order was sealed. I find chapter 9 very interesting! It says in the exact month the enemies of the Jews had planned and waited patiently to execute them all, it was that same day the Jews gathered to lay hold of those that sought their hurt and no one could do anything about it. Why? The decree made before had been annulled and reversed. Where they were supposed to tremble in fear, it was so for their enemies. This was not because Haman died; it was because the King made a new order and sealed it.
Esth.8.8 Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can never be revoked.” (NLT). The ones to die (the Jews) were now the ones giving the rules. Chapter 9 vs 12 The King asked Esther, “..now what is they petition and it shall be granted thee, thy request and it shall be done.” and verse 14 says the king commanded it to be done..vs 16…the Jews stood for their lives and had rest from their enemies.
As I read this story, I kept shaking my head.. I was like, “Lord, you did this for me also, you turned me away from the curse and the hold of the enemy. You made a decree that I am yours and put a seal upon my life. It is irrevocable! I belong to you. The Jews moved confidently as kings and the fear of their enemies was on them. This is what you have done for me God.” Then scriptures kept popping up, I thought of 1Corintians 3:23 that says, “and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God” and 1John.4.4 “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (NLT) and I kept saying thank you Jesus, thank you for saving me soul, thank you for your seal upon my life.
May nothing sway us and take us away from the consciousness of what Christ have done for us…that we belong to him. Amen
